Luminaire



Oct. 12, 1965 G. J. PICHA ETAL LUMINAIRE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Aug. 31, 1959 Ilia- L llO mm M l NVENTORS George J. Pichu 8:

WITNESSES fizz Leonard H. Seeley LUMINAIRE 5 Sheets-Sheet .2

Original Filed Aug. 31, 1959 III Oct. 12, 1965 G. J. PICHA ETA; 3,211,905

LUMINAIRE Original Filed Aug. 51, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l I60 I57 4 .2 2 I55 0L Hg 4 M54 use 30 Oct. 12, 1965 G. J. PICHA ETAL LUMINAIRE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Aug. 31, 1959 Oct. 12, 1965 J, PICHA ETAL 3,211,905

LUMINAIRE Original Filed Aug. 31, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 6 3,211,905 LUMINAlRE George J. Picha, Vicksburg, Miss., and Leonard H. Seeley, Cleveland, Ohio, assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Continuation of application Ser. No. 837,226, Aug. 31, 1959. This application June 12, 1963, Ser. No. 288,589

9 Claims. (Cl. 240--51.11)

This application is a continuation of application Serial No. 837,226 filed August 3-1, 1959, now abandoned, and assigned to the same assignee as this application.

The present invention relates to a novel luminaire structure and has particular reference to a luminaire which has a light transmitting member spaced from the lamp or lamps in the luminaire and which is detachably mounted within the bottom opening of the luminaire and is so located therein as to transmit all direct and reflected light emitted from the bottom opening of the luminaire.

This invention primarily comprehends a luminaire of the flush mounted ceiling type adapted to receive elongated fluorescent light bulbs and which can be mounted as a single fixture or as one of a group of fixtures arranged in end to end abutting relation.

In the past, it has been common practice to provide a luminaire with light diffusing panels supported in spaced relationship below and along the sides of the source of light in order to obtain semi-indirect lighting distribution. In each of the prior luminaires, the effects have not been satisfactory from a lighting standpoint due to objectionable light leakage between the luminaires sides and the bottom light diffusing panel. Also, in some instances it has been necessary to employ more than one panel to cover the bottom of the fixture and this has resulted ineither objectionable light leakage between the bottom panels or the use of a center support attached to adjacent panels. The use of such a center support has added to the expense and created an optically denser medium extending transverse to the longitudinal length of the luminaire as viewed from the bottom.

Additionally, it has been necessary to secure the various panels to the framework of the prior luminaires in order to prevent vibration and buckling of the panels which may otherwise occur. In a construction of this general nature, it has also been necessary that some tools be employed to assemble or remove the panels from their securing means. Although such tools have been of a very simple nature, it will be realized that due to the elevated heights at which luminaires are normally mounted, their use 'has been the basis of considerable annoyance and additional labor charge. Further, the removal or installation of a number of loose panels at such heights increases the time required to install or remove the panels for maintenance purposes.

More particularly, the present invention is directed to a luminaire in which its components, both electrical and mechanical, not only enhance the appearance thereof but are relatively few in number and are readily detachable to provide access to the interior of the luminaire for replacing the fluorescent lamps and for repairing and cleaning the luminaire when required.

Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide a new and improved luminaire having a one-piece housing which readily and conveniently supports all of the components of the luminaire.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel luminaire having a minimum of component parts, which can be readily manufactured and assembled, and which can be readily accessible for maintenance and repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel luminaire which has an increased efficiency of light output and which has light leaks minimized or avoided altogether.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved luminaire having a trough shaped housing with downwardly extending side walls which supports a detachable and rotatable light transmitting closure assembly without the use of mechanical hinge or latch means.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and efficient closure assembly for a luminaire.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a closure assembly of the character described without the use of opaque components in its structure in order to increase the light output of the luminaire.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel closure assembly in which the framework thereof is molded from a one-piece light transmitting material.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a closure assembly for a luminaire having novel means associated therewith for removably supporting the light transmitting panels usually associated with the luminaire.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a closure assembly for a luminaire having a one-piece molded frame and means molded integrally therewith for use in pivotally connecting the assembly to the luminaire and for latching the assembly in its closed position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel luminaire and closure assembly therefor in which the closure assembly is pivotally mounted in and latched to the luminaire without the use of mechanical fasteners or connections between the luminaire and closure assembly.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a luminaire in which the closure is pivoted and latched thereto without the use of externally visible components.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved elongated luminaire having a novel and convenient reflector structure which structurally supports a rotatable and detachable cover for the open side of the luminaire.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved elongated luminaire having spaced lampholder supports, which lampholder supports are demountable from the interior of the luminaire without removing the housing from its secured position.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an elongated luminaire constructed according to this invention, with its cover of closure assembly in the open position thereof;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section of the luminaire of this invention taken along the lines II-II of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a partial, longitudinally sectioned view of a longer luminaire, otherwise similar to that of FIG. 1, but in addition having two lamp systems located in tandem in a single housing therefor;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section of the luminaire taken along reference lines IVIV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the lampholder support used in the luminaire of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the lampholder support shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the lampholder support shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional view of one end i of the luminaire showing the light transmitting door panel in its closed position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the novel luminaire showing the manner of inserting and removing the closure assembly thereof;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the luminaire disclosed herein, showing the closure assembly thereof in its closed or operating position;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the inward surface of the closure assembly of the invention; and

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the luminaire taken along reference line XII of FIG. 8 illustrating the novel manner in which the closure assembly is latched to the remaining luminaire structure.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, the luminaire has an elongated, inverted, generally U-shaped or channel shaped housing member 10 extending the length of the luminaire. Located at each opposite end of the housing is an end plate 12 or 14, which when mounted in position relative to the housing member 10 forms a shallow box in which the components of the luminaire are .to be mounted. Both the housing and the end plates can be formed of a suitable structural material, such as sheet steel. In addition, each of the end plates can be attached to the inverted U-shaped housing member in any suitable manner, such as by sheet metal screws or by welding. Extending the longitudinal length of the housing, there is shown in FIG. 1 a reflecting arrangement, denoted generally by the reference numeral 16, made of any suitable specular material. Components of the reflector 16 have sufficient structural strength such that they will be capable of supporting a closure assembly 102 for the lurninaire, as will be hereinafter described in detail. Also extending transverse to the longitudinal length of the housing and at each end so as to be located closely adjacent to each end, plate is a lampholder support member 18 to which is mounted several lampholders 20 for supporting an elongated light source or sources (see dot-dash lines in FIGS. 2, 4 and 12). As shown, there are provided a plurality of pairs of opposing lampholders 20 closely spaced with respect to each of the end plates 12. Each of the pairs of lampholders 20 is adapted to retain an elongated light source therebetween and the lampholders 20 are positioned in closely spaced relationship with respect to the top wall reflector 1b. The portion of the top wall reflector 16 which is positioned over the elongated light sources which are adapted to be retained between the lampholders lies in one plane. As shown in FIG. 1 in the opened position, a pivotally mounted door assembly 102 extends substantially along the entire length of the luminaire.

The housing member 10 also extends the length of the l uminaire and includes reinforcing structure formed integrally with housing member 10 and extending the length thereof. This reinforcing structure can take the form of at least two V-shaped grooves 22 and 24 as shown in FIG. 2, which provide the housing with additional structural strength. At the outer or downward ends of side portions 26 and 28 of the inverted U-shaped housing member, there are formed integrally inwardly extending flanges 30 which provide structural reinforcement for the housing 10 and other functional relationships described subsequently. Each end plate 12 and 14 denoted above in connection with FIG. 1, is securely mounted at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the housing member 10 to form an end wall for the luminaire.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, each end plate 12 and 14 has an inwardly extending flange 32 and 34 at its top and bottom portions, respectively. The upper flange 32 of each end plate extends substantially the transverse width of the housing 10. In addition, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each end plate has an integrally formed side flange 36 at each side, which side flange extends a short distance along the inner surface of the downwardly extending side portion 26 or 28 of the housing member 10.

4 The top and side flanges 32 and 36 of the end plates 12 and 14 are securely mounted to the housing member 10 in any suitable manner, such as by spot welding, to thereby form the aforementioned end walls for the luminaire. It is to be noted that the housing member 10, in an actual application, will have a definite length and will be arranged in such a manner that the end plates 12 and 14 can be secured thereto in planes substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inverted U shaped housing member.

As shown in FIG. 2, the V-shaped grooves 22 and 24 extend downwardly toward the inward portion of the luminaire. Closely adjacent the bottom of each groove 22 and 24 on the outward wall thereof there is located at least a pair of apertures which can be tapped to accommodate a mounting bolt, or more desirably, a sheet metal screw 38. For purposes apparent hereinafter the aforesaid apertures are disposed adjacent the ends of the housing member 10.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the lampholder support 18 is formed in such a manner that it has a wing flange member 40 at each end, which flange member has an upwardly extending outwardly displaced portion 42 with a horizontal slot 44 located therein. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 each lampholder support 18 is mounted by means of a pair of the screws 38 which engage the grooves 22 and 24 respectively, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lampholder supports 18 are located thereby closely adjacent their respective ends of the housing. More particularly, the main body of the lampholder support is a vertically extending member 37 having T-shaped slots 39 located therein with two oblong apertures 41 located relatively close to each T-shaped slot. Flange members 43 and 45 are located at the upper and lower edges of the main portion or member 37 of the lampholder support for stabilizing purposes. At each end of the lampholder support 18 there is the wing-shaped arcuately bent member 40 which, as previously described, positions and fastens the lampholder support in place relative to the housing. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 an aperture 47 is located closely adjacent to the lower edge of the wingshaped member 40 of the lampholder support which aperture is used to secure angular channel support brackets 162 and 164 thereto, which brackets are described below.

As indicated in FIG. 2 the lampholders 20 (also 20a and 26b in the longer luminaire) are secured to their respective lampholder supports by means of screws (not shown) extending through the apertures 41 of the lampholders support 18 and engaging threaded holes commonly found in the lampholders. The purpose of the slots 39, better seen in FIG. 6, is to accommodate the wiring or electrical conductors (not shown) so that, as previously described, the lampholder supports 18 can be removed from the luminaire and the lampholders 20 can be removed from the lampholder support 18 by disengaging the lampholder screws and sliding the electrical conductors up the slot of the lampholder support. In this manner, quick repairs and maintenance can be made to the electrical components located behind the lampholder support 18, with out removing the associated wiring from the lampholders 26). It is to be noted that FIG. 3 shows two spaced apertures 46 and 48 located at the end of each V-shaped groove 22 or 24 so that the lampholder support 18 can be located closely adjacent to an end plate member 12 or 14 or be spaced a relatively short distance therefrom. The purpose of having the two different apertures 46 and 48 is to enable the lampholder support 18 to be locatable in two different positions as will be described hereinafter when particular reference is made to FIGS. 3 and 4.

In addition to the apertures 46 and 48 located adjacent each end of the housing member 10 in the V-shaped grooves 22 and 24 thereof, there are also located several apertures intermediate of the remote ends of the housing member and the central portion. These apertures (not shown) are also located in the V-shaped groove 22 or 24 on its outer wall and are spaced along the length of the housing 10. An angularly bent channel bracket 50 or 52 having a configuration shown in FIG. 2, is also secured to each V-shaped groove 22 or 24 of the housing by means of screws 38. As shown in FIG. 2, the channel bracket 50 or 52 includes two major surfaces 54 and 56. One surface 54 of the channel bracket extends generally obliquely from the screws 38 attaching it to the V-shaped groove and adjoins the horizontally disposed surface 56 extending toward the associated housing side 26 or 28 to form a holder which will support the necessary electrical conductors or wiring which extends the length of the housing member so as to supply the electrical current to oposite ends of the luminaire. Such wiring is represented by a plurality of leads 58 of varying sizes, the largest of which can be pushed readily through a space 60 remaining between the top of the housing 10 and the adjacent edge of the bracket 50 or 52, due to the resiliency of the latter. The outer lateral extremity of the horizontal bracket surface 56 terminates in an upstanding flange 62 serving to retain the leads 58 when once inserted into the wiring bracket 50 or 52. The provision of the brackets 50 and 52 eliminates the necessity of employing conventional wiring retainers and fasteners and therefore greatly facilitates wiring the luminaire. It should be appreciated, of course, that either one of the brackets 50 or 52 can be eliminated in certain luminaires depending upon the number of leads 58 required for a given application.

The reflecting arrangement 16 has the particular cross sectional configuration shown in FIG. 2. The reflecting arrangement 16 includes the inner surface of the housing member 10 and a pair of reflective member 64 and 66 located one at each side of the housing member 10. Each of these reflective members 64 or 66 extends substantially the longitudinal length of the housing member so that they are terminated closely adjacent to the end plates 12 and 14 of the luminaire. As shown in FIG. 2, each reflective member 64 or 66 is supported by the associated channel bracket 50 or 52 by securing thereto a substantially flat oblique surface 68. Suitable fasteners such as screws 70 secure the oblique surface 68 to a number of individual brackets 72 either formed integrally with each channel bracket 50 or 52 or secured thereto by means of the screws 38. Alternatively, the brackets 72 can be replaced by a continuous strip member extending the length of each channel bracket 50 and 52 and secured laterally to the inner edge of mounting surface 74 thereof. At its upper surface of each reflective member 64 or 66, a substantially right angle flange 76 is located, and the outer surface of this flange abuts against or is closely located relative to the lowermost portion of the associated V-shaped groove 22 or 24. As shown in FIG. 3, the reflector arrangement extends the length of the luminaire and at its ends it conceals the side flange portions 40 of the lampholder support. The general configuration of each reflective member is such that it extends downwardly to a point substantially horizontally parallel to the bottommost surface of the lampholder supports 18, at which point it extends horizontally outwardly a distance, as denoted by reference character 78, such that its outer lateral edge is adjacent the downwardly extending side 26 or 28 of the housing member 10. At this point, the reflector is arcuate- 1y bent downwardly to form a narrow vertical surface or stop member 80 and then inwardly to form a second horizontal surface 82, which is substantially horizontal with the bottommost surface of the previously mentioned side flange of the housing side wall 26 or 28. The major lateral proportion of the second horizontal surface 82 is then reverse-bent to overlie the remainder of the surface 82, as denoted by 84, and to underlie the associated flange 30. The surface 82 of each reflective member 64 or 66 extends outwardly to a line lying substantially in the plane of the outer surface of the adjacent downwardly extending .side wall 26 or 28 of the housing member 10, whereat it is reverse-bent again to extend back for a relatively short course 86 lying contiguously with the underside of the flange 30. The inward lateral portion of each course 86 is bent upwardly and outwardly forming a substantially hooked portion 88 as viewed in cross section, but it is to be understood that the hook portion forms a longitudinal outwardly facing groove 90 extending the en tire length of the reflector. The inward lateral edges of the associated housing wall flanges 30 are seated into the grooves 90 in such a manner when the reflective members 64 and 66 are mounted that the flanges .30 engage the lengths of the members 64 and 66 to provide additional support therefor. From the description above taken in conjunction with the FIG. 2, it is easily seen that each reflective member 64 or 66 is supported at at least two areas by the channel bracket 50 or 52 and, by the housing wall 26 or 28.

The inner surface of horizontal portion 98 of the housing 10 lying between the grooves 22 and 24 extending the length thereof desirably is provided with a specular finish or a reflective coating to complete the reflector arangement 16. Such finish or coating desirably is applied to the adjacent undersurfaces of the grooves 22 and 24.

It will readily be seen from FIG. 2 that the housing member 10 contains two longitudinal chambers 92 and 94 extending the length of the luminaire and bounded by the side walls 26 and 28 of the housing member 10, those portions of the housing between the grooves 22 and 24 and the side walls, respectively, and the reflective members 64 and 66 in their mounted positions. As previously stated, electrical conductors can be located in either one or both of the longitudinally extending chambers 92 or 94 by being supported by the included channel bracket 50 or 52, respectively. As shown in the chamber 92 of the luminaire illustrated in FIG. 2, there also may be located a ballast, denoted generally by reference numeral 96, of any known type which may be fastened to the upper portion of the chamber, i.e. to the horizontal portion 98 of the housing member 10 as viewed in FIG. 2 of the drawings. In this manner, it is readily apparent that all electrical conductors and ballast will be concealed from the bottom opening of the luminaire.

Located adjacent each extremity of each horizontal surface 82 and adjacent the outer lateral edge of the upper horizontal surface 78 of the reflective members 64 and 66, there is an aperture (not shown) in the surface 78 which has a substantially rectangular shape. As shown in FIG. 2, an arcuately bent substantially U-shaped leaf spring 100 or 101 is inserted in each aperture with its downwardly extending, diverging legs abutting against the second horizontal surface 82 of each reflective member with the innermost leg located against the stop member 80. Each of the leaf springs 100 and 101 :in its mounted operative position within each of the apertures, has its downwardly extending legs compressed slightly to retain the spring in such position. Any force exerted laterally and outwardly relative to each leaf spring 100 or 101 will resiliently compress the leaf springs within their operative position towards the stop member 80 against which it rests for the intended purposes described below.

As better shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 912, a closure or luminaire door assembly 102 having a relatively shallow, channeled configuration with outwardly extending flange assemblies 104 and 106, the flange assemblies being indicated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9l 1 only, is supported by the horizontal surfaces 82 of the reflective members 64 and 66 (not shown in all the aforementioned figures) so as to cover the open bottom of the luminaire. The central por tion of the closure assembly 102 is designed so that it will support any of several different types of light transmitting panels such as a louvered assembly 108 shown (FIG. 2) on the left or a transparent or translucent generally flat panel member 110 as shown on the right. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, four such panels or assemblies, for example, can be supported along the length of the closure 102 vieWed in FIG. 2.

7 agd are removably positioned in frame 112 of the closure 1 2.

In this arrangement of the invention, the door frame 112 is provided with a generally L-shaped cross section and, with the outwardly extending flanges 104 and 106 mentioned previously, is molded integrally from a one piece light transmitting plastic material. Since the frame 112 is of a one-piece construction the possibility of light leak, as through the joints of conventional metallic frame members, is completely obviated. The frame 112 and the flanges 104 and 106 are arranged in accordance with one aspect of the invention to provide hinging and latching functions relative to the door assembly 102 without the use of metallic parts other than the springs 100 and 101 (FIG. 2) and without the presence of light leaks adjacent the hinged or latched portions of the door assembly. The hinging and latching functions of the door assembly 102 are accomplished, furthermore, without the use of any visible or external parts or moving parts other than the springs 100 and 101 with the result that a much neater external appearance of the luminaire and longer lasting hinge and latching arrangements are effected. Illustrative forms of the hinging and latching arrangements will be described below in detail.

Meanwhile, returning to the description of the molded door frame member 112, the leg member 114 of the frame 112 is provided at its inward edge, as better shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, with an upstanding continuous ridge memfiner 116, likewise molded integrally with the door frame 112. The ridge member 116 lends structural rigidity to the leg portion 114 of the door frame and, in the event that the louvered assembly 108 is employed, serves to position the latter such that its bottom edges lie generally in the plane of the underside of the door assembly 102, as In furtherance of this purpose, the ridge member 116 engages the outwardly extending flanges 118 formed upon the lateral edges of the louvered assembly 108. When thus assembled, the under surface of the door assembly 102 presents an even, pleasing appearance. On the other hand, in case the substantially flat panel 110 is employed use of the ridge 116 recesses the panel upwardly into the closure assembly 102 with the result that the visible areas 120 of the door assembly lend increased apparent substance to the luminaire and in addition presents a pleasing design variation.

At a position immediately adjacent and outwardly of the ridge 116, an upstanding flange 122 is formed integral with leg portion 114 so as to completely surround the continuous ridge 116 and the light opening formed by the inner extremity of the frame leg portion 114. The flange 122 serves as a guide in inserting the louvered assembly 108 or the panel 110 but more importantly prevents the latter from sliding laterally as viewed in FIG. 2, which would otherwise cause one of its lateral edges to become unseated from the ridge 116. As better shown in FIG. 11, portions of the flange 122 are turned inwardly of the panels 110 to form retaining tabs 124, with a pair of such tabs being employed at opposite lateral edges respectively of each door frame 112 for the panel supported along the length of the closure assembly 102. In this example, inasmuch as the flange 122 and the tabs 124 formed therein are integrally molded with the door frame 112 the panels 108 or 110 can be removed for maintenance or other purposes simply by cutting or grinding off the tabs 124.

Returning now to the hinging and latching functions of the door assembly 102, integrally formed with the sides of the door frame 112 are outwardly extending flanges 104 and 106, respectively, for performing these functions. With reference to the hinging function, it should be pointed out that each of the lateral door flanges 104 and 106 terminates just short of the ends of the door assembly 102 as denoted by reference characters 126 and 128 respectively, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 9. At the end of each flange 104 or 106 an outwardly expanding reinforcing tab 130 or 132 is formed integrally and generally at right angles to the balance of the flange members. A pair of hinge pins 134 are integrally molded at the ends respectively of the flange 104. The pins 134 extend through the associtaed tabs and project beyond these tabs to a point substantially in the planes of the ends of the door assembly 102 respectively. The projecting ends 136 are supported by the associated tabs 130 and also by extending the pins 134 a short distance along the outer edge of the flange 104. The hinge pins 134 also are molded integrally with the door frame 112 and desirably that portion of the pin 134 extending inwardly of the associated reinforcing tab 130 is identical to the latch pins 138 described hereinafter to provide as much molding similarity as possible for the integrally molded door frame 112.

To supply pivotal movement for the door assembly 102, the projecting portions 136 of the hinge pins 134 cooperate respectively with the aforementioned flanges 34 of the end plates 12 and 14 of the luminaire, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9. The door assembly 102 initially is mounted on the luminaire by inserting one of the end plate flanges 34, for example of the end plate 14 as viewed in FIG. 9 between the projecting portion 136 of the hinge pins 134 and the similarly projecting end 126 of the door assembly 102. As likewise shown in FIG. 9, the door assembly 102 then is moved to a position adjacent the diagonal of the housing 10 so that the other end plate flange 34 then can be inserted between the adjacent pin 134 and projecting end 126 of the door assembly 102. The door assembly 102 then is moved to the position shown in FIG. 1 or as shown by the phantom lines of FIG. 9 for purposes of comparison.

When the door assembly 102 is moved to its closed position as illustrated in FIG. 10, the flanges 104 and 106 cooperate with the horizontal surface portions 82 of the reflective members 64 and 66 to support the door assembly in its closed position. The exact manner of closing and positioning the door assembly will be described shortly. At the moment it should be noted that when in its closed position the projecting ends 126 and 128 of the assembly 102 substantially cover the end plate flanges 34 so that each end surfaces 142 of the door assembly 102 is substantially flush with the bottom of the end plates 12 and 14 of the luminaire. As a result, only the reverse-bent horizontal portions 84 of the reflective members 64 and 66 are visible from be neath the luminaire and thus a more pleasing appearance is obtained. The exposed surfaces 84 of the reflective members of course can be finished in the same manner as the other exposed portions of the housing 10 and the end plates 12 and 14.

The luminaire of the invention is admirably suited for mounting in tandem across a ceiling, inasmuch as the light transmitting surface thereof, as comprised by the door assembly 102 substantially extends to the ends of the luminaire. This result is obtained by using a light transmitting plastic material in molding the door frame 112. Accordingly, when a number of luminaires are mounted in tandem in an end to end abutting relationship, the array of luminaires presents the appearance of a continuous ribbon of light extending longitudinally along the total length thereof.

The door flange 106 similarly is provided at its ends with a pair of latch pins 138. The latch pins 138 are identical to the hinge pins 134, which are disposed oppositely on the flange 104, save that the latch pins 138 do not pass through and extend outwardly of the associated reinforcing tabs 132. As in the case of the hinge pins 134, the latch pins 138 are molded integrally with the reinforcing tabs 132 and with the flange 106 along the outer edge of which the pins 138 are disposed. When thus disposed the inwardly extending portions 137 of the hinge pins, and the latch pins 138 cooperate respectively with the previously described U-shaped springs 100, as will presently be made apparent.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the manner of performing the latching function for the door assembly 102 is illustrated therein. To latch the door assembly 102, the latter is very nearly closed as shown in FIG. 12, following the operation of positioning the hinge pins 134 on the flanges 34 of the end plates 12 and 14, as described previously in connection with FIG. 9. In its very nearly closed position, the door assembly 102 is moved laterally to the left as viewed in FIG. 12 of the drawings such that the inward extensions 137 of the hinge pins 134 engage the freely movable leg 144 of the associated springs 100. Continued movement of the door assembly 102, with relatively slight force, fully compresses the springs 100 against the stop member 80 to the position shown in FIG. 12. At the corresponding position of the door assembly 102 the outer edge of the flange 106 will then clear the inward reverse bend of the surfaces 82 and 84 of the reflective member 66. The door assembly 102 then is pivoted upwardly a slight amount and allowed to move laterally to the right under impetus of the springs 100 until the flange 106 of the door assembly comes to rest on the ledge formed by the horizontal surface 82 of the reflective member 66, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

The forces exerted by the springs 100 and 101 are substantially equal and opposite so that the door assembly 102 is positioned at an equilibrium position which is laterally centered relative to the surfaces 82 of the reflective members 64 and 66 and hence to the luminaire housing member 10. The springs 100 and 101 can be secured in their respective positions in reflectors 64 and 66, for example by spot welding the outer legs thereof to the vertical portions 80 of the reflective members. Depending upon the gauge of the material employed for the door frame 112, the latch pins 138 and the inward portions 137 of the hinge pins 134 could be removed; however use of these pins and pin portions is desirable to minimize wear as by chipping of the door flanges 104 and 106 upon contact with the springs 100 and 101. This arrangement of course eliminates conventional hinges and latches or other mechanically engaging parts to add to the simplicity and neat appearance of the luminaire.

FIG. 3 illustrates another feature of the novel luminaire, which is arranged in accordance with one aspect of the invention so that a housing of particularly great length can be designed to use a number of fluorescent lamp groupings in tandem. In addition, FIG. 3 illustrates the use of two diiferent lampholders 20a and 20b at the opposite ends of the luminaire, including in this example, the so called rapid start and slim line lampholders. Each of the aforementioned apertures 46 and 48 is spaceda short distance from the other, to locate and position the lampholder support 18 in differently spaced relationships relative to the end plate 12 or 14. As shown in FIG. 3, a rapid start lamp unit including the lampholder 20a has its lampholder support 18a abutting against the end plate 12 so that the lampholder support is secured to the housing member by means of a suitable fastener extending through the outer aperture 46. On the other hand, the lampholder support 18b similarly is spaced a relatively short distance from the end plate 14 to position the lampholders 20b for a slim line lighting unit application. It is to be understood that either or both of the lampholders 20a and 20b and their associated supports 18a or 181) can be employed in this arrangement.

Intermediate the length of the housing 10, two lampholder supports 18c are placed in back-to-back, abutting relation to form the intermediate lampholder supports for each lamp.

It will be easily seen, that one single molded closure assembly, such as described above in connection with FIGS. 1, 2 and 9 to 12, can be used to cover the bottom opening of the luminaire, but in the particular application shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, two separate lamp systems are incorporated so that an intermediate lampholder support is required. Accordingly, provision has been made to provide two separate closure assemblies, each similar to the closure 102 described above, so that if a single lamp unit must be replaced only approximately one-half of the closure assembly need be pivoted downwardly to expose that portion of the interior of the luminaire 0ccupied by the latter unit.

As shown in FIG. 4,- a channeled member 154 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is secured to the inner surface of the housing by any suitable means such as by bolts 155 and mounting brackets 157, which can be welded or otherwise secured to the housing walls 26 and 28. The channeled bracket 154 extends downwardly so that its lower edge abuts against the inwardly extending flanges 30 of the housing 10. The channeled member 154 is a relatively wide member having two spaced open ings 156 and 158 located in its lowermost surface and spaced equidistantly from the side edges and located at the ends of the channeled member 154.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 4, each lampholder support 180 is securely fastened to the V-shaped member of the housing and is located in abutting relationship with the lampholder support located below and adjacent thereto. Located in the bottom portion of each end flange 40 of the lampholder support 1180 is an aperture 47. The channeled member 154 is fastened to each end flange 40 of the lampholder support by means of mounting screws 160 and angular brackets 162 and 164. The angular brackets 162 and 164 are substantially I- shaped and have their inner ends extending upwardly substantially at right angles where their transverse portions are joined to the mounting brackets 157 respectively. Likewise, the opposite transverse portion of the angular brackets 162 and 164 are arcuately bent upward so as to be angularly displaced from the horizontal and are fastened to the flanges 40 at adjacent ends respectively of the abutted lampholder supports 180. The angular brackets 162 and 164 are joined to the ends of the channeled member 154 by passing through the latters openings 156 and 158 where they are retained by bolts 166 inserted through suitably disposed apertures in the side walls of the channeled member 154, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

As better shown in FIG. 10, the aforedescribed end wall 142 of the closure assembly 102 substantially covers and is located closely adjacent to the bottom flange 34 of the end plate 12 or 14 when the closure assembly is in its closed position. Although not shown, the angular bracket 162 or 164 shown and described with reference to FIG. 4 will also accommodate one of the hinge pins 134 of the closure assembly 102. In this manner, one or more light transmitting completely luminous closure assemblies can be provided for the luminaire of the invention, depending upon the length of the luminaire, which will have a highly decorative effect along with relatively larger light transmitting areas. Furthermore, it is readily apparent that a luminaire incorporating the closure assembly 102 of the invention will have no opaque members present in its configuration to disrupt any light rays emanating from any of the light sources. In addition, the wiring channels, the reflector structure, and the closure supporting and latch arrangements, when applied to the luminaire of the invention result in a product exhibiting ease of manufacture and maintenance, a. minimum of component parts, a maximal efliciency in light output.

Since it is obvious that the invention can be embodied in other forms and constructions within the spirit and scope of the invention as apparent to one skilled in this art, it is to be understood that the particular form shown is but one of such embodiments and with various modifications and changes being thus possible, the invention is not limited in any way with respect thereto. Moreover, it is to be understood that certain features of the invention can be employed without a corresponding use of other features thereof.

We claim as our invention:

1. A luminaire comprising:

(a) an elongated inverted shallow generally U-shaped channel member having a top wall and side walls;

(b) at least two elongated members having a reflective surface, said elongated members positioned within and disposed downwardly from the top wall of said channel member and extending substantially the longitudinal length thereof, and the portion of said top wall which is positioned between said elongated members being reflective;

(c) longitudinal chambers for electrical components,

formed within said channel member by said elongated members, said channel member side walls, portions of said channel member top wall, and bottom walls extending between said channel member side walls and said elongated members;

((1) oppositely disposed end plates connected to said luminaire, said end plates and said elongated members defining a bottom opening;

(e) a plurality of pairs of opposing lampholders aflixe-d within said luminaire between said elongated members and closely spaced with respect to said end plates, each of said pairs of lampholders adapted to retain an elongated light source therebetween, said lampholders positioned in closely spaced relationship with respect to the top wall of said channel member, and that portion of said reflective top wall of said channel member which is positioned over the elongated light sources adapted to be retained between said lampholders lying in one plane; and

(f) light control means substantially covering said bottom opening.

2. A luminaire comprising:

(a) an elongated shallow generally U-shaped channel member having a top wall and side walls, said top wall shaped to have small, V-shaped inwardly projecting grooves extending longitudinally the length thereof;

(b) at least two elongated members extending substantially the length of said luminaire, the facing surfaces of said members being reflective as Well as the inner surface of said top wall between said members;

(c) means securing the. longitudinal edges of each of said reflective members to said top wall and to the adjacent side wall of said channel member to form longitudinal chambers for electrical components within said channel member;

(d) oppositely disposed end plates connected to said luminaire, said end plates and said reflective members defining a bottom opening;

(e) a plurality of pairs of opposing lampholders aflixed within said luminaire between said elongated members and closely spaced with respect to said end plates, each of said pairs of lampholders adapted to retain an elongated light source therebetween, said lampholders positioned in closely spaced relationship with respect to the top wall of said channel member, and that portion of said reflective top wall of said channel member which is positioned over the elongated light sources adapted to be retained between said lampholders lying in one plane; and

(f) light control means substantially covering sai-d bottom opening.

3. The luminaire as specified in claim 2 wherein said reflective members are secured at their upper longitudinal edges to said top wall of said channel member at said 'V-shaped inwardly projecting grooves.

4. A luminaire comprising:

v(a) an elongated inverted generally U-shaped channel member having a top wall and side walls, the breadth of said top wall being substantially greater than the height of said side walls providing said channel mem ber with an inverted, shallow trough configuration;

(b) at least two elongated reflective members disposed downwardly from the top wall of said channel member and extending substantially the longitudinal length thereof, and that portion of said top wall which is positioned between said elongated reflective members also being reflective;

(c) means securing the longitudinal edges of each of said reflective members to inwardly projecting V-shaped grooves extending longitudinally in said top wall, and to the adjacent side Wall of said channel member, to form longitudinal chambers for electrical components within said channel member;

(d) an elongated wiring bracket positioned within at least one of said chambers and extending at least partially along the length thereof and retaining wiring leads running therethrough;

(e) oppositely disposed end plates connected to said luminaire, said end plates and said reflective members defining a bottom opening;

(f) a plurality of pairs of opposing lampholders aflixed within said luminaire between said elongated reflective members and closely spaced with respect to said end plates, each of said pairs of lampholders adapted to retain an elongated light source therebetween, said lampholders positioned in closely spaced relationship with respect to the top wall of said channel member, and that portion of said reflective top wall of said channel member which is positioned over the elongated light sources adapted to be retained between said lampholders lying in one plane; and

(g) light control means substantially covering said bottom opening.

5. A luminaire comprising:

(a) an elongated inverted shallow generally U-shaped channel member having a top wall and side walls;

(b) at least two elongated members disposed downwardly from the top wall of said channel member and extending substantially the length thereof, the facing surfaces of said members being reflective as well as that portion of the inner surface of said top wall between said members;

(c) means securing said reflective members to said channel member to form longitudinal chambers for electrical components within said channel member;

((1) oppositely disposed end plates connected to said luminaire, said end plates and said reflective members defining a bottom opening;

(e) substantially flat lampholder supports aflixed within said luminaire between said elongated members and containing slots extending from their periphery to a predetermined location therewithin, said slots removably accommodating lampholder wiring and providing apertures to receive lampholding securing means to permit easy removal of lampholders;

(f) a plurality of lampholders attached to said lampholder supports, each oppositely disposed pair of said lampholders oriented in substantially longitudinal alignment with said luminaire; and

(g) light control means covering said bottom opening.

6. A luminaire comprising:

(a) an elongated inverted generally U-shaped channel member having a top wall and side Walls, the breadth of said top wall being substantially greater than the height of said side walls providing said channel member with an inverted, shallow trough configuration;

(b) at least two elongated reflective members disposed downwardly from the top wall of said channel member and extending substantially the length thereof;

(-0) means securing the longitudinal edges of each of l3 said reflective members to V-shaped inwardly projecting longitudinal grooves in said top wall and to the adjacent side wall of said channel member to term longitudinal chambers for electrical compo nents within said channel member;

(d) oppositely disposed end plates connected to said luminaire, said end plates and said reflective members defining a bottom opening;

(e) lam-pholder supports afiixed within said luminaire and containing slots extending from their periphery to a predetermined location therewithi-n, said slots removably accommodating lampholder wiring and providing apertures to receive lampholder securing means to permit easy removal of larnp holders;

(f) a plurality of tlamph olders attached to said lampholder supports, each oppositely disposed pair of l'ampholders oriented in substantially longitudinal alignment with said lumin'aire; and

(g) light control means substantially covering said bottom opening.

7. A luminaire comprising:

(a) an elongated shallow troiier having side wall, a

top wall, and a b ottom opening;

(b) two elongated chambers each one adjacent the exterior surface of each longitudinal side wall of said troffer and extending substantially the length thereof, said chambers each comprising,

(1) a top wall extending laterally outward irom the top wall of said trotfer,

(2) an inboard side wall formed by the exterior surface of the longitudinal side wall of said trolfer,

(3) an outboard side wall, and

(4) a bottom wall;

(c) substantially flat lampholder supports .affixed within said troffer and containing slots extending from the periphery of said supports to a predetermined location therewithin, said slots removably accommodating lamplrolder wiring and providing apertures to receive lamp'holder securing means to permit easy removal of said lampholders;

(d) a plurality of ilampholders attached to said lampholder supports and adapted to retain elongated illumination devices;

(e) auxiliary electrical components necessary for operation of said illumination devices, said components positioned within said chambers; and

(f) light control means covering said bottom opening of said troifer.

"8. The luminaire as specified in claim '7, wherein lampholder supports are aflixed within said troffer proximate to the ends of said troffer.

*9. A luminaire comprising:

(a) an elongated shallow troffer having side walls, a

top wall and a bottom opening;

(b) an elongated chamber adjacent each exterior surface of each longitudinal side wall of said tnotfer and extending substantially the length thereof, each said chamber comprising,

(1) a top wall formed by a coplanar, laterally out-wand continuation of the top wall of said troffer,

(2) an outboard side wall formed by a substantially rightaangle, downward continuation of said top wall of said chamber,

(3) a bottom wall formed by a substantially rightangle inward continuation of said outboard side wall,

(4) an inboard side wall fiormed. by the exterior surfiace of a longitudinal side wall of said trotfer;

(c) substantially tflat lam-pholder supports attached to said lurnin'aire and containing slots extending from their periphery to a predetermined location therewithin, said slots rem ovably accommodating lampholder Wiring and providing apertures to receive l-arnpholding securing means to permit easy removal of lampholders;

(d) elongated wiring brackets located within .at least one of said chambers and extending at least partially along the length of said chambers to retain wiring leads running through said chambers;

(e) a plurality of larnpholders attached to said dampholder supports and adapted to retain elongated illumination devices;

(f) auxiliary electrical components necessary for operation of said illumination devices, said components positioned within said chamber; and

(g) light control means extending over said bottom opening of said troffer and suspended from the bottom wall of each of said chambers.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,321,099 6 4 3 Naysmith Q4051 .11 2,837,631 6/58 Lenze et al. 9A0-51:ll 3,040,171 6/62 Bobrick 240'5 -l.11 3,07%;3 66 2/ 63 Winklers 240-5 1 l1 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

EVON c. =BLUNK, Examiner. 

1. A LUMINAIRE COMPRISING: (A) AN ELONGATED INVERTED SHALLOW GENERALLY U-SHAPED CHANNEL MEMBER HAVING A TOP WALL AND SIDE WALLS; (B) AT LEASAT TWO ELONGATED MEMBERS HAVING A REFLECTIVE SURFACE, SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS POSITIONED WITHIN AND DISPOSED DOWNWARDLY FROM THE TOP WALL OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBER AND EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY THE LONGITUDINAL LENGTH THEREOF, AND THE PORTION OF SAID TOP WALL WHICH IS POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS BEING REFLECTIVE; (C) LONGITUDINAL CHAMBERS FOR ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, FORMED WITHIN SAID CHANNEL MEMBER BY SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS, SAID CHANNEL MEMBER SIDE WALLS, PORTIONS OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBER TOP WALL, AND BOTTOM WALLS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID CHANNEL MEMBER SIDE WALLS AND SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS; (D) OPPOSITELY DISPOSED END PLATES CONNECTED TO SAID LUMINAIRE, SAID END PLATES AND SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS DEFINING A BOTTOM OPENING; (E) A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF OPPOSING LAMPHOLDERS AFFIXED WITHIN SAID LUMINAIRE BETWEEN SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS AND CLOSELY SPACED WITH RESPECT TO SAID END PLATES, EACH OF SAID PAIRS OF LAMPHOLDERS ADAPTED TO RETAIN AN ELONGATED LIGHT SOURCE THEREBETWEEN, SAID LAMPHOLDERS POSITIONED IN CLOSELY SPACED RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO THE TOP WALL OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBER, AND THAT PORTION OF SAID REFLECTIVE TOP WALL OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBER WHICH IS POSITIONED OVER THE ELONGATED LIGHT SOURCES ADAPTED TO BE RETAINED BETWEEN SAID LAMPHOLDERS LYING IN ONE PLANE; AND (F) LIGHT CONTROL MEANS SUBSTANTIALLY COVERING SAID BOTTOM OPENING. 